Port of Spain, Trinidad, March 2026 – Tourism Trinidad Limited (TTL), in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism (MTTI), is pleased to announce the successful close of the 2025/2026 cruise season, which delivered strong growth in visitor arrivals, increased economic activity, and enriched destination experiences.

From October 2025 to February 2026, Trinidad welcomed 23,961 cruise passengers across 14 calls, in addition to 10,723 crew members. This represented a 36% increase in passenger arrivals over the 2024/2025 season. Tour participation also rose by 17%, with 6,521 visitors engaging in local tours and experiences. Cruise lines calling on Trinidad during the season included Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises, Swan Hellenic, and others, reflecting continued confidence in Trinidad as a cruise destination.

The season also featured five maiden calls, including vessels such as SH Vega, Coral Princess, and Hebridean Sky, signalling growing international interest in Trinidad. Notably, Brilliance of the Seas facilitated 200 passenger embarkations in Trinidad, further underscoring the destination’s potential for homeporting.

The United States remained Trinidad’s largest source market, accounting for 66% of total arrivals or 15,865 passengers. It was followed by Canada (17%), the United Kingdom (6%), Germany (4%), the Caribbean (1%), and other international markets (6%). This visitor profile highlights Trinidad’s continued appeal among North American and European travellers.

Visitor surveys conducted at the Port of Spain Cruise Complex indicated that approximately 15,799 passengers disembarked to explore the destination. With an average spend of USD $59 per visitor, estimated total onshore expenditure reached USD $932,141.

This expenditure directly supported local vendors, artisans, tour operators, and small businesses, reinforcing the important role cruise tourism plays in creating opportunities to buy local. From handcrafted souvenirs and local fashion to authentic culinary experiences such as doubles and bake and shark, visitors were encouraged to engage with and support locally produced goods and services.

Passengers participated in a diverse range of curated experiences, with popular tours including:

• City and Maracas Beach excursions
• Caroni Bird Sanctuary visits
• Cultural shows and heritage tours
• Nature-based activities such as Paramin 4×4 tours and visits to the Asa Wright Nature Centre

Throughout the season, visitors were immersed in Trinidad’s culture through live performances featuring Moko Jumbies, tassa drumming, steelpan, parang music, and traditional dance. In partnership with the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, passengers also enjoyed authentic local cuisine, further strengthening the connection between tourism and local enterprise.

The Cruise Information Team, supported by Visitor Ambassadors and enumerators, played a critical role in delivering a welcoming and informative arrival experience. Their efforts ensured that visitors received guidance on attractions, transportation, and cultural highlights, while encouraging wider exploration of local businesses and products.

Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism, Senator the Honourable Satyakama Maharaj, praised the season’s performance:

“The 2025/2026 cruise season reflects the growing strength and appeal of Trinidad as a destination. Beyond the strong growth in arrivals, what is particularly encouraging is the level of engagement with local businesses, from our food vendors to our artisans and tour operators. Cruise tourism continues to create meaningful opportunities for our people, and we remain committed to ensuring that visitors not only experience what is local but actively support and invest in what we produce.”

Tourism Trinidad Limited and the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism will continue to work closely with stakeholders to expand these opportunities and ensure that a greater share of visitor spending remains within local communities. This will be supported through stronger partnerships with cruise lines, enhanced onshore experiences, and expanded opportunities for local participation across the tourism value chain, including greater visibility for locally made products and services.

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